Back to the Present

A weekend blog post? Oh yes.

I'm doing everything humanly possible to procrastinate cleaning my apartment. It's a great apartment but at this moment it's a dirty, dirty apartment. Dust bunny dirty. The madness stops here.

So, what the hell is going on with VH1? "I Love the New Millenium"? Really? I've seen from 2004-2005 this morning and I'm wondering, are they going to go all the way up to 2008? And then it just turns into Best Week Ever and implodes into itself?



I mean, I'm not not nostalgic for Jared the Subway Guy, Dance Dance Revolution, and the advent of Sodoku, it just seems symptomatic of something wrong in our society. I don't know precisely what it is...but it has to do with detachment. On the other hand, I guess by virtue of the fact that I write a blog and am involved in comedy I probably have nothing legitimate to say about it.

Something else I've learned from watching cable TV today -- Amy Grant is a Christian pop star now. Huh. Time Life is selling a Christian music compilation and all of the artists are wearing hair clips and aggressively shoulder padded blazers. No judgies. Okay, just a little judgy.

Swiffer time. Have a great weekend!

Dr. GOD and Teasing

Tonight at Improv Asylum isn't just any Thursday night at Improv Asylum. Why? Because my awesome friend Sean is in Boston with his team from IO West Dr. God.

Refresh your senses with some new improvisational faces. Drink Coors Light because it's a Thursday. Clap. Laugh. Etc.

They go on at 10pm, be there!

In other news, sorry about the lack of posts lately (I apologize as though somebody really misses them). Things are happening and decisions are on the verge of being made, plans planned, slacks mended. I just don't want to speak too soon about things that effect actual life.

I'll have more fun stuff to report soon. Teaser: A smooth jazz Latin concert, a terrifying high school graduate, and some delicious grilled salmon all have to do with it. Now that you're absolutely sweating balls from anticipation, I'll sign off.

Love you!
Erin

Dad, Progress, and the Tonys

On Sunday night we took my dad out to Uno's for Father's Day. It might be in Revere, and a national chain, but it's actually one of my favorite places to go with my family. For some reason, we always have a great time there. Is it the tall Newcastles? The many TVs? The squawking, heavily lipsticked North Shore bartend-ress? I don't know, but it works for us. My dad is the best. I actually don't even want to hear about how great your dad is, because mine's got it wrapped up. Sorry. Polls are closed.

Just in this past week, he's saved my ass a hundred and three times by taking care of my car situation. I know I'm a grown woman and should be able to handle these things myself, but it just got to be a little too frustrating. My dad has a way of talking to people (mechanics, et al) and making them like him immediately. If he wasn't such a genuinely good human being, he'd be one hell of a politician. Everyone who knows Billy loves him, and for good reason. If there's one person in the world I'd like to be like, it's him.

One of the three million reasons why my dad is so awesome: He found my blog and what he commented on and loved the most was this picture, featured in the "Double Fat Latte" entry

It just cracked him up. As it cracks me up. So I posted it again.

On the fat/notfat note, I had a successful WW week (that'll be the abbreviation for Weight Watchers from now on). For those of you who care, or are going through the program yourself, I'm down 1.1 lb since last week. I'm thrilled with this, especially because of the Great Smith and Wollensky Splurge of '08 that happened last Wednesday. So, Yeah!

Sunday night was not just Father's Day night, it was also the Tony Awards. That's right, the one night a year that I bemoan ever leaving New York and wish that I didn't transfer out of Emerson's acting program.
(August: Osage County...wanna see it)

It was all for the best, I'm sure, but watching those Tonys...man, it makes me jealous. Also, it makes me feel really poor because I'd love to head down to NY on a whim and see these awesome looking shows but I can't for want of a spare billion dollars. And nights off.

Lastly, Dear Celtics:
Please win tonight so that Brian doesn't throw himself out a window.
Love,
Erin

"You're Crazy"

As some of you who actually read this blog may remember, I was writing a book. I mean, I still am writing a book, things just seem kind of paused for the Summer. I submitted the first twenty five pages or so to the Breadloaf Writer's Conference just for giggles -- I was actually late in submitting it, but they took it anyway. I kind of just wanted somebody else to read it I think, no fee involved, so what the hell. They wrote me a very kind rejection letter stating that my work "scored very highly with the judges" and that I would be put on a priority waiting list if anyone dropped out. I'm actually pretty happy with that! Being wait-listed is that half step up from rejection that makes all the difference. I don't think I'd actually be able to go or anything, but fun anyway!

I think that I kind of have an issue with big goals. I'm always making them. It seems like I can't be contented unless there's something tremendous that I'm trying to do. These are the big goals on the burner right now:

* Novel
* Fitness overhaul
* Creating a two person show with a particular fun lady
* Getting my act together and figuring out whether Chicago/LA is in the future and if so - when and how (I'll be turning 94 soon, and it might be time to get cracking).

The danger with multiple big goals is that you can't do everything at once. The following is a true story.

Kurt Vonnegut and I spent the same semester at Smith College, that lauded all girl institution where there is absolutely no lesbian sexual tension. I don't know if it was the weirdo "I'm a male" vibes that he gave out or what, but no one went to see him during his office hours. Yup, that's right. Kurt Vonnegut had open office hours at Smith and hardly anyone knocked on his office door.

I didn't have anything good to show him, but I felt like everyone back at Emerson would literally never speak to me again if they knew that I didn't' take advantage of the situation. So I mocked up some mediocre fiction and went to visit the man. He was old and smokey and smart, and just as tired of Northampton and Smith as I was. We only chatted about my writing for a little while (he advised me to kill a main character, which would have been smart since the piece was sentimental and pretty gross). But we mainly talked about just...stuff. He asked me why I had left Emerson and I told him how I wanted more academics, then he asked me how I liked Smith and I told him that I wanted more creativity, and this is how the conversation went on. He paused for a moment and finally looked up at me and said, "You're crazy."

Okay. Hm?

"You want to do everything all at one time and it's impossible. You can't. No one can. You've got to make up your mind about what you want to do first and then do it. Then when you're done you can do the next thing."

He also said, "Go back to Emerson. No. Run. Run as fast as your legs can take you."

And before I left, "Be good. Don't talk to strangers."

We only met two or three times, but that was probably one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me. He was a really wise, funny man, with a fair share of sadness and troubles. Maybe that's why all the smoking.

So, today, as I remain overwhelmed with my different wants and goals, I try to remember Mr. Vonnegut and that I'm crazy to try to do everything all at once. One at a time. Go easy, take a breath and conquer the world by taking tiny steps.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good:

The thing I'm happiest about right now is that I just finished my first week on Weight Watchers (the online program) and I lost 3.5 lbs. I know that's probably super personal or something, but I feel like this is a very important thing I'm doing for myself and I'm proud, dammit. Lots of veggies, lots of balsamic vinegar, lots of fish and lean chicken, and of course, my new favorite thing -- the nonfat iced latte. Am I boring you? Probably. Okay, moving on...

Also good, Improv Asylum held its 10th anniversary party on Saturday night!
So much fun. The best part about these parties are the things that people create to celebrate the event. We saw genius video sketches by Evan, Doug, and Kiley, adorably funny song parodies by the staff and the NXT, Jeremy's take on Ikea, and a really lovely presentation by Stacey and Chris. It was almost a little tear-jerky sometimes, I have to say. Nights like that really make you feel like you're part of a family, and it also reminds you that Evan is going to be the most successful out of all of us. Seriously. Once he posts his video online, I'll give a link. He's hilarious.

Also good, oh the beach! The walkable beach that's right by my house! We had so much fun yesterday. You can swim in the ocean, it's really clean enough! Big time points for Winthrop.


The Bad:
I'm utterly unfit to own a vehicle. Brian and I almost stressexploded this morning because the car stalled and would not start right as we were about to enter a car wash. Luckily my mom was nearby and saved the day. Still being saved by my mom. I'm 26, by the way. Anyhow, it's in the shop and I finally got to work. God bless the understanding kindness of my company.



The Ugly:
You should see the sunburn on this Irish American idiot. Holy God. SPF, please.

There Will Be Bulimia

So, my first thought was, "Oh, what jerks."

A bunch of prissy future dance teachers making a stab at the big time...right? Maybe. But self delusion and pug nosed entitlement notwithstanding, I'm in this one for the long haul.



Last night we met the 10 contestants who will jazz square and elbow their way to the Broadway stage in the role of Elle Woods. Some of them are adorable. Some are predictably vacant. Some are really really frigging scary.



I'm so excited. And so sorry for all of the hard working New York actors who didn't get cast because of this wacky experiment.

Mother's Day

My mom and I had a day-long date yesterday. I had bought her tickets to see History Boys at the BCA for her birthday, so yesterday we made a whole day of it. She hardly ever takes public transportation and was mildly horrified by the blue line, as most humans are.

It should be noted that my mother is tiny. Like a tiny little tiny person from tinyland. She's a teacher and has the sprightliness of an elementary school girl, and a very big smile. And she's extremely white, fashion wise. One would describe her style as "Cape Cod" or "Explorations in Pastel Plaid". It's kind of adorable, especially when she's thrown into sharp relief by the dingy pessimism of public transport.

The first stop was Downtown Crossing - to Macy's so that she could buy some Clinique makeup that she wanted. As we walked down Washington Street, mom was again mildly horrified.

"This used to be the center of the city," she said as she looked over the rotten, picked-away carcass of Filenes. But soon we made it safely to the makeup counter, and all was well. It seems like Clinique is always having a special bonus promotion. It makes it a little less "special" I guess, but nobody argues with a free tote bag, and mini bottles of that wonderful, yellow moisturizer.

The day was gorgeous, as those of you in New England know. One of those rare, comfortable, sunnynotmuggy days that we get four or no times a year. Mom and I walked through the city, from State Street to the South End. As we strolled into the South End, my mother was immediately charmed by the neat flower box stoops and sidewalk dining. She's been to this area of town before, of course, but not on a perfect day like yesterday. I was taken off guard by how lovely it was as well. Upon reaching the BCA we decided to have a bite to eat and stopped at The Beehive. I would like to describe the grilled cheese sandwich that we split there, but words escape me. I'm not being overly dramatic. It was the best sandwich of my lifetime. The bread, the cheese, the tomato...and granted I was very hungry, but this surpassed all other snacks in deliciousness. Go there. Get the grilled cheese. Try to tell me I'm wrong. I am still adhering to my diet, sticklers, portion control is everything.

The show was fantastic. Really great. I could pick it apart, but I'm in the mood to make sweeping generalizations instead and focus on the good stuff. History Boys is interesting and well written, but it was the boys themselves that made the experience so worthwhile.
From reading the program it seems like many of them are just local guys in college, which was surprising. They were adorable, funny, and many times heart breaking. I want them all to date my sister. Even the gays.

We walked back to the blue line after our long day of shopping, talking, theater going, eating, and generally being insufferably female. It was wonderful. It made me realize that I should spend more time with my mom because, quite frankly, she's about the best person I know. And she's SO little.